Charting The Path Forward
For Your Financial Success
Meet Jeff Cismoski, CFP®, CPWA®:
Technical Precision and Entrepreneurial Insight
Jeff Cismoski, Principal and Founder of Xartis Wealth Advisory Group is more than a financial expert — he's a seasoned business leader with a diverse background that uniquely positions him to guide business owners toward realizing their financial goals and dreams.
With a career that spans large conglomerates to small businesses, Jeff's journey began at General Electric, where he honed his skills through the Aircraft Engines Management Development Program and later served as a Six Sigma Black Belt in Global Spare Parts Fulfillment at GE Healthcare. His technical foundation, rooted in a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Marquette University, sets the stage for his meticulous problem-solving approach. Jeff realized in his role at GE a desire to align business aspirations with financial planning. A realization that called him to help his own family’s business.
Jeff's entrepreneurial spirit came to the forefront during his 13 years at Val-A Chicago, where he served on the Board of Directors and as President and Director of Operations. Here, he successfully navigated the intricacies of running a family business, gaining invaluable experience that would later guide his advisory services.
As Executive VP Business Development & Director of Operations at BryanMark Financial Group, Jeff specialized in estate and wealth transfer planning solutions for affluent clientele. His role positioned him as a key player in a highly sophisticated field, contributing to the growth and success of the firm.
Jeff's impact as a Business Owner Wealth Advisor at Evanston Advisors carried over to his role as a Wealth Advisor at Cresset. His expertise in advising closely held business owners, executives, and high net-worth families spans over 20 years, leveraging his experiences in finance, operations, and engineering.
In October 2020, Jeff founded Xartis, defining it as the nexus of relationships between ideas, people, and events. Xartis is built on the premise that every client's journey is unique, with distinct goals, concerns, and limitations. Jeff celebrates each relationship, providing unwavering attention and service tailored to individual needs.
Jeff is not only a financial expert but also an active member of the Big Shoulders Fund - Chairman's Advisory Council, reflecting his commitment to enabling children through education.
Meet Dominic Messina:
Financial Expertise & Business Owner Mindset
Dominic Messina, a driven entrepreneur, and Director of Operations at Xartis Wealth Advisory Group, brings a unique blend of financial expertise and entrepreneurial spirit to the wealth management industry. With a demonstrated history of working extensively with high-net-worth individuals and families, Dominic's journey in the financial services sector has been marked by a keen focus on business owners and the challenges they face in balancing the growth of their enterprises and individual net worth.
Dominic leads Xartis committed to providing tailored solutions for closely held family business owners. Drawing inspiration from his own ownership of MKS Custom Creations, a woodworking firm he founded in 2015, Dominic understands the entrepreneurial mindset and brings a craftsman's attention to detail to his operations role at Xartis.
In his career, Dominic has been instrumental in creating and implementing large-scale platforms aimed at streamlining operations and facilitating the scalability of private equity growth. His experience spans roles in financial planning, client relations, and private equity specialization, including a significant tenure at Cresset and Evanston Advisors, JPMorgan Chase, and Edward Jones. Prior to Dominic’s career in finance, he served 8 years in the United States Army as a Staff Sergeant completing two deployments to Iraq and one to Afghanistan.
In October 2020, Dominic joined his colleague at Cresset, Jeff Cismoski, in founding Xartis, defining it as the nexus of relationships between ideas, people, and events. Xartis is built on the premise that every client's journey is unique, with distinct goals, concerns, and limitations. Dominic and Jeff rely on their experience and instinct as entrepreneurs themselves to advise other business owners on their professional and personal journeys.
In Dominic’s leadership at Xartis, he uses his diverse skills and high ethical standards to ensure smooth and efficient functioning of Xartis operations including his deep financial knowledge of markets, investment products and wealth management strategies as well as the regulatory and compliance requirements of the industry. Dominic leads Xartis in identifying and mitigating operational risks to ensure the security and integrity of client assets while leveraging the Xartis technology stack for process automation, data analysis and reporting to clients.
Dominic received his Bachelor of Science in Finance from Columbia College, and his Master of Business Administration from Saint Xavier University.
Meet Alma Pajova:
Wealth Planner, Consultative Approach
Alma's journey in the financial industry began with a strong foundation in lending at Wells Fargo, where she assisted both individuals and businesses with their financial needs. Through this experience, she gained valuable insights into the interconnectedness of lending and wealth management, igniting her passion for comprehensive wealth planning.
With a Master’s in Accounting and Financial Management from the Keller Graduate School of Management, coupled with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and International Studies from Loyola University of Chicago, Alma possesses a diverse skill set that enables her to offer strategic and personalized financial guidance to her clients.
Throughout her career, Alma has remained dedicated to a client-centric and consultative approach, prioritizing your unique needs and goals above all else. Her transition to the role of a financial advisor was a natural progression, driven by her desire to empower families and businesses with financial clarity and peace of mind.
Outside of her professional endeavors, Alma is a proud soccer mom to her energetic 11-year-old son, who keeps her on her toes. She also finds joy in giving back to her community through volunteer work with organizations such as Feed My Starving Children. Alma is actively involved with the Professional Women’s Club of Chicago and the National Association of Women Business Owners, demonstrating her commitment to both professional excellence and community engagement.
